Golden Gate Seminary Announces Scholarship in Memory of Former Student

“Theresa Thompson was a dedicated young woman with an incredible passion for the nations,” said Seminary President Jeff Iorg as he presented her parents, Gene and Marilyn Thompson, and her sister, Sheila Wilbanks, with a commemorative plaque announcing the Theresa Thompson Endowed Scholarship for Career Missions. Thompson died of cancer in Munich on July 10, 2008, while serving with the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (IMB).

The plaque was awarded during Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary’s 48th annual Missions Conference, on February 14, Thompson’s birthday. The scholarship was established by Thompson’s friends and family to help mobilize young single women, to become missionaries. Thompson graduated from Golden Gate with a Master of Divinity and Master of Arts and Intercultural Studies in 1999.

“Throughout her entire life, Theresa had a commitment and a willingness to go wherever the Lord led her,” said Golden Gate Seminary missionary-in-residence Mark Wagner, who was Theresa’s IMB supervisor for the last three years.

During her two and a half years in Germany, Thompson served the IMB in a variety of roles. As a research coordinator, she collected statistical data that allowed missionaries to track the status of the Gospel’s spread across Europe. Recognized for “phenomenal” organizational skills by her managers, Thompson also served as an administrative assistant.

“Theresa had a heart for the nations,” recalled her father, Gene Thompson. “This became obvious when she started college. And while attending Golden Gate, she visited numerous countries on overseas mission trips.” He noted that while she was in Germany she encouraged American students to visit, and had hosted a group of students in her apartment the day before her death.

“I see this scholarship as a continuation of Theresa’s passion to enable students to serve overseas,” said Thompson’s sister, Sheila Wilbanks, who also serves with IMB in Paris, France.

“Theresa’s legacy was her dedication and her focus,” recalled Wagner. He said, “When affliction hit her, she continued on her path, and did whatever it took to stay. She was a witness to the very last hour.”